Filing Deadlines Further Extended to Combat COVID-19; Colloquy and Form Available for Remote Proceedings

Chief Justice Cheri Beasley entered an order yesterday extending until June 1, 2020 the time and periods of limitations for documents and papers due to be filed and acts due to be done in the trial courts. The Chief Justice previously had extended to April 17, 2020 the deadline for filings, periods of limitation and other acts. She further extended those deadlines based on predictions that late April “may be the apex of the [COVID-19] outbreak in North Carolina.” Covered filings. The April 13 order applies to pleadings, motions, notices, and other documents and papers to be filed in any NC county on or after March 16, 2020 and before the close of business on June 1, 2020 in the following types of cases: civil actions, criminal actions, estates, and special proceedings. Those documents are deemed to be timely filed if they are filed before the close of business on June 1, 2020. Covered acts. The order further provides that acts due to be done in any NC county on or after March 16, 2020 and before the close of business on June 1, 2020 in civil actions, criminal actions, estates, and special proceedings are timely if done before the close of business on June 1, 2020. The order does not apply to documents and papers due to be filed or acts due to be done in the appellate courts. Bond forfeiture extensions. The order also extends certain deadlines in bond forfeiture proceedings. If entry of final judgment under G.S. 15A-544.6 [...]